Brand new to Netflix, “Windfall” is mind-boggling, aesthetically pleasing, and above all else, possesses humor dryer than the desert the film is set in. While the film is packed with drama, there are only four characters, played by the well-known and talented Jason Segel, Lily Collins, Jesse Plemons, and Omar Leyva. All are well-cast in roles that make this movie interesting.
To give a full and accurate synopsis of the film is difficult because so much is intentionally vague. For example, the character names are never mentioned, with even IMDb listing the parts as “Nobody” (Segel), “Wife” (Collins), “CEO” (Plemons) and Gardner (Leyva) . Due to so little information, the audience is left to guess who they are, what they do, and how they ended up in this situation with one another.
The movie starts with Nobody walking through a nice home and outdoor patio that stands by itself in the middle of an orange grove. Nobody is looking through the home for money, expensive items, and weapons when the other two characters arrive at their summer home.
When the couple arrives, Nobody panics, holding the couple hostage at gunpoint. At first, he holds them for just the right amount of time to escape from their property without being caught but quickly realizes there are cameras that have videoed him. After noticing the cameras, he asks the couple for more money and has to overstay his visit due to the overnight delivery of $500,000.
The couple and the robber have to endure each other’s company throughout the night, and viewers begin to notice an interesting vibe between the three that is almost childlike. Instead of being incredibly scared, CEO and Wife share humorous and comedic remarks. They all try to learn about one another but little to no information is shared.
The remainder of the film has a slow-moving storyline, to say the least. Despite the three encountering multiple obstacles, the movie drags on until near the end, which reverberates with shocking plot twists and unexpected turns that leave the audience shaken.
Reviews have been less than stellar, but most agree that the acting is good. Perhaps worth a watch if you’d enjoy a stripped down, dialogue-heavy thriller.
